If you are the parent of an examination student, you will know all too well that after the high point of Easter comes the countdown to the Junior and Leaving Certificate.
Wednesday June 8 is not very far away and many students are already ticking off the days, not in terms of excitement at the thought of this forthcoming event, but more as a means of focusing and working towards this significant milestone in their education.
Even with a regular study pattern, a good revision plan, and a clear head, the looming examinations can ruffle even the calmest person. Many parents mistakenly believe there is little they can do to help their children at this time. However, it is important to remember that exam success depends as much on small things as big ones.
A little forward planning can make a major difference because it injects some orderliness into the student's life and helps reduce tension and stress. Parents can help ease the burden on them in a number of ways. All that is required is a little empathy, understanding, kindness, and practical help.
Here are some tips to point you in the right direction:-
1. Show interest in your children. No doubt, you do that already in a myriad different ways. But sometimes in our fast paced lives and with all the demands on our time and attention, we may find it difficult to always be fully present. Have regular chats and catch-ups and know which subjects they find challenging and which come easily to them. Be available if they want to talk about their worries or fears. Being in close contact with them will enable you to pick up on any changes in their mood or rise in their stress levels. Avoid being too invasive or inquisitive though as this may be counterproductive. Your aim is to provide a caring and loving presence.
2. Offer practical support. Be on hand to offer tea and sympathy, a listening ear, and a kind word. Sometimes, all people need when they are feeling overwhelmed or weary is a little understanding and support. They do not need any grand gestures or someone to fix things for them. Just knowing that you are in their corner and care about them is all that matters.
3. Create a calm atmosphere that is conducive to study. Begin by being calm yourself. Frazzled parents are no help to pre-exam students. If you feel worried, try to keep your feelings under wraps. Aim to remain positive, even in the most trying circumstances. Make allowances for irritability, frayed tempers, maybe even crying, or dramatic outbursts. Sometimes, saying nothing is the wisest option.
4. Try to reduce distractions. These may come in the form of other family members, visitors, television, social media, or a noisy home environment. The ideal study space should be quiet, well lit and ventilated, and have all the necessary revision aids close at hand. If there are young children in your family who tend to be boisterous, enlist their help in keeping noise levels down and supporting the exam student.
5. Adhere to a routine. This can be comforting and gives not only a sense of structure to the day but may also have a de-stressing effect on busy students. Try to have meals at regular times and encourage your son or daughter to take breaks and unwind away from their study area. Standing up and walking around the house or outdoors, doing stretches, having some fruit, water, or a cup of tea will all help the concentration process.
6. Encourage them to see the bigger picture. It is all too easy to get bogged down in study and thinking about the forthcoming exams and forget that there is life after June 8. It is important to reassure your child that no matter how they perform on the day or what results they achieve, there are numerous options in terms of further study, apprenticeships, or work. There are also many ways to get the qualifications they need for a particular career. Some routes might be more scenic than others and take a little longer but they all lead to the same place. There is the added advantage too of gaining maturity, wisdom, and clarity on that journey, qualities that will be beneficial for life.
7. Eating small meals often will increase their energy. Failing to eat properly will affect their attention span and energy levels. Sometimes students try to keep going without having regular meals or snacks and wonder why their energy and concentration levels are low. A well balanced diet with fruit, vegetables, dairy products, wholegrains, pastas, and proteins, such as meat, will ensure they receive sufficient nourishment.
8. Help them boost their concentration. This can be done by breaking down tasks into small, manageable units and then completing one at a time. They will need to have a clear idea of what they want to accomplish in a set time/study session. Encourage them to set targets for themselves, these will give them a focus and a goal to work towards. A reward system whereby, for example, they promise themselves a special treat, will encourage productivity, set an end point for studying, and lift their spirits.
9. Recognise the restorative power of sleep. It is vitally important to our general health and wellbeing and is nature's way of helping us recharge our batteries. Persistent lack of sleep can lead to tiredness, irritability, tension, and inefficiency. Many students tend to work late into the night in the hope that they can pack in further revision into an already hectic schedule while others attempt to learn new and difficult material in the run-up to the exams. There are a number of ways to get a better night's sleep which vary from getting adequate natural sunlight during the day, sleeping in a cool, dark room on a comfortable, supportive mattress to avoiding stimulants, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and coke in the evening. Going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at the same time each morning helps regulate your biological clock while not eating too much or too little pre-bedtime will make it easier to sleep through the night.
10. Involve them in family life. While students may be preoccupied with their studies and the forthcoming exams and may have little spare time, it is important to include them in family life generally. This will provide them with a form of distraction, remind them that there is a bigger world outside exams, and help them unwind.
